Back to reality

So that's it then... 4 months, and what do I have to show for it? A tan wich will fade in a few weeks, a pretty flat wallet, and some huge bills to be paid!

No, I've met amazing people, seen wonderful things and did some awesome climbing with good friends! Can't beat that.

And anyway, it was time to go home... on the last stretch I was driving my van wearing my beanie, down jacket and gloves!! The 1972 heating system is a little inadequate for winter conditions..

I'm also really happy to be back in my own place, to see my friends and family, sleep in my own bed with on-suite bathroom (in stead of the plastic bottle I was using in the bus!) and pick up my normal routine again (choir on thursdays, climbing on tuesdays and sundays, bar on most days inbetween!).

I have also been looking for my next assignment and things are looking good... hopefully by next week I will be contracted again to do some communications work.

Did the trip change my life? Off course not! But I had a great time and would recommend it to anyone...

p.s. anyone wants to buy a 1972 VW camper???

Packlenica rocks

Apart from the Bora racing at 100km/hr, snow falling the day before our arrival and it raining on most days, believe it or not, we did some great climbing!

The limestone in Packlenica National Park is perfect, and with hundreds of single and multipitch routes within a stone´s throw of the car park, it´s a paradise for the lazy sport climber like myself.

We spent about 5 days climbing and after having travelled alone for some weeks, it was really great to see all my climbing mates again. It was also nice to see some new faces and make new friends. Off days we spent in local cafe´s playing cards and drinking tea, cappuchino or the local version of grappa.

Saskia managed to upset the balance by falling and hurting an ankle, but she hobbled along on her cruches and still managed to have a good time!

I didn´t take too many pics, but will post some when I get them from others.

Before Packlenica, I spent some time in Zadar where I met some more wonderful people on an excursion to the Kornati islands. And just as well, for the boat ended up being invaded by silver-haired package tourists. The six of us had a great time drinking wine, swimming and talking nonsense. I also managed to incur a new-found interest in literature, thanks to some enlightening dinner conversations. Oh and I thought the sea organ in Zadar is a fantastic invention!

In the meanwhile I have moved on to Vienna where I will hang around for a few days before heading back home. More about that from the comfort of my own office!

No Dalmatians in Dalmatia!

Seriously, I haven't seen even one!



But who needs muts anyway when there is such beautiful scenery... Dubrovnik with its red roofs for example...

its beautiful bays.. (I stayed in a room near this picturesque little one)...

...and it's motley collection of boats and ships..

After a day or two in Dubrovnik, one does what everyone comes to do in Croatia - island hopping. It is thoroughly enjoyable. Islands like Korcula and Hvar are reached by ferry..


while the smaller ones can only be reached by 'experienced skippers...'




But they are stunning and absolutely worth it!

I also met some other island hoppers, who I spent some time with, listening to Thomas' classical guitar and learning to drink proper Japanese and Chinese teas.

Now in Split where I still need to find the exciting bits. I'm a bit travelled out, (have seen enough churches and museums to make me go religious!) and looking forward to meeting my friends in a week or so to go... eh yes... climbing again! This time in Paklenica National Park. I'm a tad unfit after all the relaxing and eating (they really do have lipsmackingly delicious fish here!) of the last 6 weeks, so climbing partners beware!

p.s. notice all the blue in the pics? Yep, even though season is officially over, it is generally a perfect post-summer, apart from the fact that many of the cultural events and tourist services are coming to an end (I'm the only one in the youth hostel here for example! And I'm not even really 'youth' anymore now, am I?). Ok, I'm boring you with the weather... time to go!

p.p.s. Finally managed to add the missing pics in the last post and those for Roma and the Appenini...

More active volcanoes, swordfishing and a fabulous lunch

Next stop was Stromboli, one of the Aeolian islands.

Australian Melissa joined me for a short while and together we watched the active vulcano spew out some serious burning rock.

We stayed in a beautiful hostel called Casa del sole amongst whitewashed houses and bougainvillea.

In the end nearly managed to get stuck on an island. Due to inclement weather, the Aliscafi (hydrofoils) could not dock at stromboli and were all cancelled. Luckily there was a slow car ferry, which went two hours before the scheduled time and we managed to catch with 5 minutes to spare.

On the ferry we met Maurizio and Gabriella from Reggio Calabria.

They missed their boat back to the mainland, so travelled with us back to Sicily and then via Messina back to the mainland. Fantastic people who showed us some nice things to see

Like Scilla, where traditional swordfish fishing methods are still practiced from a very dangerous looking boat!.

Maurizio`s mother also invited us for a fabulous homecooked meal, which we enjoyed very much!! I dont think Ive ever eaten so much!

From here we travelled on to Bari, with an overnight stop on the most idyllic spot...

Monte di Etna...

Yesterday we climbed Etna with some crazy folk I met in Taormina..



We parked my bus on the slopes of Etna where Jimena did a brilliant 'pasta di Etna' and the four of us danced the night away on salsa and bob marley!

Next stop is the aeolian island of Vulcano where I might indulge in one of the famous mudbaths... I'm sure I could use some exfoliation!

Palermo via Napoli

Found the most amazing hostel just outside Palermo, in Sferacavallo. The beach club here is frequented by Palermoans on the weekend!

Met a guy called Massimo who knows half of the town! We have been partying nearly every night, dancing at a very trendy beach club, and enjoying many apparetivos in people's homes.

Sicily is great! People here are very friendly and laid back, scenery is beautiful and the girls are absolutely stunning!

Palermo itself is very nice too, bustling place if a little chaotic. Defenitely worth a visit.

Just walking around the little markets and streets has the most appeal, but the Cathedral is huge with an impressive mixture of architectural styles.

Today I head off to Toarmina to climb Monte Etna and then on to Catania.

Made my way to Palermo, via Napoli where I spent a few days. In fact, I spent much of the time driving around looking for places. Even Pompei was dificult to find! Whoever did te city planning here should be sacked!! Got my car serviced by two locals Peter and Jay who did a great job.

Had a walk around town... again, the small streets with locals selling everything under the sun is the most appealling. Didn't like the city that mu though. Noisy, smelly and hot. The Archeological museum was very good though!

But I would give Napoli a miss next time..

ROMA...

by bus is crazy!!! But I love driving like an Italian, so no problemo!! And my horn can be heard for miles, maybe even inside the Vatican!


Stayed in a very dinghy b&b, but the city itself is marvellous! Notte Bianca was mad. Maybe 2.5M people on the streets, 400 different events, right through the night. The amazing thing was that virtually no one drinks or takes drugs here in Italy at such events. In my country (Kazakhistan, eh.. no.. Ollanda) the street would be littered with drunks an plastic cups... which to be fair, is not always a bad thing ;)

Obviously saw some of the main sites in Rome, which are very impressive, especially Bernini's huge range of sculptures and buildings.
Most lovely is the view of the city from Giannicolo. Some red wine, a beautiful woman and a glowing sunset are all one needs in Roma!

Off course what one doesn't need is some bastardo breaking into my bus. Only took some sunglasses (left 2000eur worth of climbing gear!) but damaged the door above the handle a little. Lesson 1: pay 25eur per night for covered parking!

Lesson 2: Go for lunch with the locals! We had the best braai/bbq at Paola and Segio's place... thanks so much for the hospitality. Only in Italy again!!!